Chicago will 'razzle and dazzle' you

REVIEW OF THE HOTTEST PRODUCTION

- By DEBORAH HALL

IT was already the hottest night of the year but Hull New Theatre managed to crank up the heat even more with its latest production.

Slick, sassy and not designed to cool you down one jot, Chicago sizzled on stage from the moment the curtain went up.

I'm now one of the estimated 34 million to have witnessed the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history - and I can appreciate why it has garnered so many fans, as well as industry awards.

Professional dancer Janette Manrara, former star of Strictly Come Dancing, is making her musical theatre debut as the central character Roxie Hart. I must admit to thinking beforehand that this pocket rocket's pedigree would have her standing head and shoulders (although she is tiny) above the rest; I was wrong.